Robert bred pedigree pigs for more than 60 years and owned Deerpark Pedigree Pigs, in Northern Ireland. He continued to work in the business in partnership with his sons Robert and Nigel, and his grandsons, in recent years.

The business has exported pigs all over the world, including to China, Nigeria and Ukraine, and has one the largest herds in the UK of Landrace and Large Whites, as well Duroc, Pietrain, Hamsphire Berkshire and Gloucester Old Spot herds.

In 1985, the family opened the first privately-owned Artificial Insemination Centre in Ireland and now export boar semen all over the world. The company was chosen by the BPA and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as the Centre to freeze pig semen for their Conservation Programme.

Robert chaired the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum and, a deputy Grand Master of the Orange Order, he was also a significant figure in Northen Ireland politics.

He was a member of the inaugural NPA Board in the late-1990s representing BPA, which he chaired at the time.

Cheerful, dry wit

Former NPA chairman Stewart Houston said: “He’ll be remembered for his cheerful, dry wit. His favourite comment when we were faced with a controversial issue was: “You English, you do like to over complicate things! Just do this.”

“Robert brought years of business experience and Irish ‘canniness’ to the Board. He struck the right balance between commercial and pedigree forward thinking. He set up what I think was the first AI stud for pedigree pigs which he ran alongside his commercial business.

“He rarely missed a meeting and was a great sounding board for me when handling business between board meetings. He never phoned up with a problem, always a solution.

“I’m sorry he has passed away after a long illness and there’s a lesson for us, because we a really bad at keeping in touch with past friends as we move on.”

Great servant

Current BPA chairman Guy Kiddy said: “Robert was a great servant to the BPA as chairman, council member and an ambassador to the association overseas.

“On the British stand overseas he would talk to all visitors putting them at ease and making them feel instantly welcome at the same time. He bought common sense to council meetings which he continued to attend after he stepped down as chairman in his capacity as Landrace breed representative.

“From a personal point of view, he was always there to give help and sound advice and will be greatly missed.”

Clarke, who is currently chief executive of Scottish Bakers, will take over the reins from ’Uel Morton who will step down in July 2017 after 11 years in the role.

Clarke took up his position with Scottish Bakers six years ago and highlights during his tenure have included the establishment of the first Scottish Bakers Export Group and increasing overall membership by 22%.

His career has also included five years’ experience as director of Lifelong Learning UK and ten years as chief executive of a Sector Training Council in Northern Ireland.

His academic career includes an MBA and post-graduate diplomas in management studies and personnel management.

Jim McLaren, Chairman of QMS, said the appointment followed a robust recruitment process.

“We look forward to welcoming Alan on board this summer. He brings with him a wealth of experience, in both the private and public sectors, and a strong skillset including governance, finance, project management, people management and IT skills,” said McLaren.

“His background also includes a strong commercial focus and a valuable track record of building lasting professional business relationships at senior level with funders including Government agencies, customers and other key stakeholders.”

McLaren also extended sincere thanks to ‘Uel Morton for his huge contribution over the past decade to the development of QMS, saying he will leave the organisation in a very strong position to move forward.

The new people are Mike Sheldon, independent; Robert Beckett, Robert Mutimer and Richard Buckle, all producers.

“I would like to pay tribute to the retiring board members and thank them for the hard work they have done for the industry,” said AHDB Pork chair, Meryl Ward, who is due to retire herself at the end of March this year.

“I am absolutely delighted with the breadth and depth of experience that the new members will bring to the Board, and the industry is extremely fortunate to have been able to recruit such high calibre applicants.”

Mr McCornick is joined at the top of NFUS by newly vice presidents, Martin Kennedy from Perthshire and Gary Mitchell from Wigtownshire.

Speaking immediately after his victory, Mr McCornick commented: “Wow! There are difficult and challenging times ahead but I have been given a mandate by members to represent them and I am honoured to carry their message forward. We are on a mission to take this industry forward so let’s make it count.”

Mr McCornick and his wife Janice farm at Barnbackle, Lochfoot, Dumfries, a 230-hectare unit with 160 suckler cows, 600 breeding ewes and a small herd of pedigree Charolais cattle.

He has been a member of the union for “as long as he can remember” and has served as NFUS vice president since February 2015.

The BVA move follows reports that Glasgow-based vet, Dr Hamaseh Tayari, who holds an Iranian passport, was prevented from flying to the US, as a stop-over on the way home from a holiday in Costa Rica.

“BVA shares the concerns of many of our colleagues and members about the situation Dr Tayari found herself in,” said BVA President, Gudrun Ravetz.

“The theme for my year as BVA President is the veterinary family and it has never been more important to pull together as one profession.

“The veterinary profession in the UK depends on colleagues from outside of the UK, with over half of the vets registering to practise in 2014/15 being non-UK graduates. The scientific community is international and it is common for scientists to work with colleagues from across the world.

“Vets work alongside colleagues from around the globe, shoulder-to-shoulder, day-in and day-out. We stand with all our colleagues, wherever they are from in the world or wherever they are.

“The public support for Dr Tayari, including crowdfunding her travel home, shows that the public is with us in this.”

The appointment, which begins in mid-April, comes at a crucial time for the union’s commodity boards as they face the challenge of responding to Brexit while also establishing food and farming’s sustainable recovery from depressed markets.

In addition to his current position with Sainsbury’s, Mr Hambling has also held various food sector roles with Defra, Randall Parker Foods and the British Meat Processors’ Association.

“The NFU has a hugely important and influential role to play in the development of agriculture and food chains at this time of significant challenge and potential opportunity for UK producers,” said Mr Hambling, who replaces Phil Bicknell, who left the NFU in December last year to join the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Mr Morton, who has served in chief executive roles in the Scottish food and drink industry for the past 20 years, said he has enjoyed his role at the helm of the public body which promotes the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands.

“The decision to step down is not one I have taken lightly,” he said. “I have huge pride in the breadth of activities – from marketing and education to industry development, quality assurance and economic analysis – which the small team of QMS staff delivers.”

Mr Morton (pictured above), whose career included nine years as chief executive of United Farmers Ltd, intends to retain an active role in the Scottish agricultural industry when he steps down from QMS, including consultancy and non-executive work.

A new AHDB Pork Chair is needed to replace Meryl Ward, following her decision to relinquish the post at the end of March this year.

AHDB is also looking for a new Chair for its Potato Sector Board with both the new people also becoming main Board Members of AHDB itself.

“These Board opportunities occur at a significant time for AHDB as we look to deliver a fresh strategy to inspire the food and farming industry to respond to the challenges of Brexit and changing domestic and international markets,” said AHDB Chairman, Peter Kendall (pictured above).

“We are seeking leaders who will be ambitious for the AHDB and what we can deliver for UK agriculture. They will also need to understand the complex pork/potato market dynamics and be able to lead those sector boards with passion, vision and strategic oversight.”

A candidate application pack is available from Christine.Standley(at)ahdb.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

The union has also re-shaped its London operations and announced new roles within its External Affairs function, which include dealing with the government and parliamentary lobbying.

Nick von Westenholz has been named as the NFU’s director of EU exit and international trade, re-joining the union as a spell as chief executive at the Crop Protection Association, while Olivia Seccombe joins the NFU as head of external affairs, having previously held the same title at Dairy Crest.

“There are considerable challenges facing farming but agriculture has a good story to tell with strong public support,” said Mr von Westenholz, who is a former head of government affairs at the NFU.

“With the triggering of article 50 due in the next couple of months it is absolutely vital that farming’s voice continues to be heard to ensure the sector has a productive, competitive and resilient future outside the EU.”

Miss Seccombe has previously worked in the offices of several MPs, including Theresa May.

“This is a critically important time for farming with the future repatriation of agricultural policy to Westminster and it is absolutely vital that the NFU has broad cross-party as well as government support for the importance of the farming industry,” she said.

Two other recruits to the external affairs team are managers, Rocky Lorusso and Fay Jones.

Mr Lorusso, who joins from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, will become head of government affairs, while Ms Jones, joins the team from her current post as European parliamentary and communications adviser for the UK farming unions in Brussels.

Headline images shows (left to right) Nick von Westenholz, Olivia Seccombe, Rocky Lorusso and Fay Jones